In a dramatic move reflecting the peak of Israeli anxiety over the trajectory of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Washington next Wednesday for what has been described as an “emergency” visit to meet US President Donald Trump. Israeli newspapers have characterised the visit as a pre-emptive attempt to shape American policy towards Iran.
The visit comes at an extremely sensitive moment, as reports indicate deep divisions within the US administration regarding the diplomatic path with Iran. According to the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, Israel’s security establishment has simultaneously escalated its rhetoric, warning of what it describes as an “existential threat” that allows no room for compromise.
According to the paper, Netanyahu is seeking, through this urgent meeting with Trump, to leverage their close personal relationship to ensure that the White House does not retreat from the so called red lines previously agreed upon in earlier meetings. The aim, Israeli media report, is to prevent negotiations from sliding into what they view as a deficient agreement.
Israel Hayom reports that Netanyahu’s core demands are focused on several points. These include the removal of enriched uranium from Iran, the complete elimination of enrichment and its associated capabilities, limiting the range of ballistic missiles to 300 kilometres to prevent them from reaching Israeli depth, and halting Iranian funding for what Israel refers to as its regional allies.
The newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth acknowledges that the likelihood of Tehran accepting these conditions is extremely low, noting that they are viewed in Iran as tantamount to a surrender document.
An Unclear Negotiating Track
Israel Hayom, citing informed diplomatic sources, reports that repeated talk of positive atmospheres in US Iranian talks is largely diplomatic language masking the absence of any tangible agreements so far.
The paper adds that Washington has firmly rejected Tehran’s attempt to impose a lengthy timeline for what it terms confidence building measures, as well as efforts to postpone all non nuclear files until after an understanding is reached on the nuclear programme.
The same sources assert that Iranian reports of progress in negotiations are primarily aimed at domestic consumption, designed to curb calls from conservative factions and the Revolutionary Guard to halt the talks altogether.
According to the newspaper, there is not even an agreement on holding another round of talks, nor on its location or timing.
By contrast, Tehran has signalled, according to Israel Hayom, a willingness to discuss nuclear issues, missiles, and support for its regional allies, but only after the nuclear file is settled and significant sanctions relief is achieved.
Two Clashing Approaches
Israel Hayom also reports, citing diplomatic sources, the existence of sharp disagreements between the team of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on one side, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice President J D Vance on the other.
While Witkoff and Kushner argue for continuing negotiations even if Iran appears to be stalling, viewing the complete halt of the nuclear project as a sufficient achievement, the opposing camp insists that the missile file and Iran’s allied armed groups are essential demands. This faction reportedly goes further by supporting pressure aimed at regime change.
The newspaper quotes a US minister as saying that the current path will not yield results better than the 2015 agreement, and that resolving most of the region’s problems requires removing the system led by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, drawing a comparison to the removal of Hamas from Gaza.
Israel Hayom adds that prevailing assessments suggest Trump and his team are not prepared to offer concessions, and that continued military build up, particularly the reinforcement of US base defences in the region, makes the military option more likely.
A knowledgeable source told the paper that Washington is engaging with Iran in part to secure broad legitimacy, including from regional states, for a potential strike once diplomatic avenues are exhausted.
A “Historic Opportunity That May Not Return”
For its part, the newspaper Maariv, citing Israeli security sources, reports that Israel has made it clear to Washington that Iranian ballistic missiles constitute an existential issue for it. According to these sources, Israel will continue to act against this threat using its own capabilities and on its own if necessary.
A military source stated that Israel will not allow Iran to regain strategic weapons such as ballistic missiles with ranges that threaten its existence.
Another military source added that there is a historic opportunity that may not recur to deliver a severe blow to Iran and remove existing threats against Israel and countries in the region.
Security sources, according to Maariv, warn against a scenario of partial action if Washington decides to use force. They liken this to what they describe as the Yemen scenario involving the Houthis, namely striking a limited number of targets and then declaring a change in reality without eliminating fundamental threats such as nuclear infrastructure and missile systems.
Betting on Trump’s Chemistry
Yedioth Ahronoth reveals that Netanyahu personally requested the meeting with Trump, betting on what it describes as the personal chemistry between them to realign the US president with Israeli security demands.
According to Israeli officials cited by the paper, Trump has sided with Israel’s security agenda every time closed door discussions were held with Netanyahu.
The prime minister is now seeking assurances that Trump will not retreat from the red lines previously agreed upon at Mar a Lago and during talks between envoy Steve Witkoff and leaders of Israel’s security establishment.
Israeli circles, according to Yedioth Ahronoth, are concerned that Trump does not consider ballistic missiles a red line. As a result, Netanyahu intends to convey the message that the current moment represents a historic opportunity to dismantle what he terms the axis of evil and capitalise on Iran’s perceived weakness.
The paper also reports that Netanyahu will present Israel’s readiness to support any potential US military action.
At the same time, the newspaper points to criticism within the Israeli government, including positions taken by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. These critics accuse the Witkoff and Kushner team of adopting a soft approach towards Iran and believe the current timing is ideal for Netanyahu to press Trump towards a tougher stance.
Yedioth Ahronoth does not rule out the possibility that the accelerated visit is part of a manoeuvre or a form of false reassurance directed at Tehran.
